Although wood species was a statistically significant influence on percentages of eggs that hatched and larvae that tunneled into wood, these percentages were > 85% on most woods tested. Of eight test woods, yellow-poplar sapwood was preferred for egg-laying and was best for larval survival and growth. Slash pine was also favorable for egg-laying, survival, and growth. Beetles laid more eggs on Douglas-fir plywood and sweetgum than on shortleaf pine, but larvae did not survive in the plywood, and tunneled extensively without appreciable growth in sweetgum; larvae survived and grew well in shortleaf pine. The beetle life cycle is at least 2 years in favorable woods and may be 3–5 years in unfavorable woods.